Has Vince Vaughn been forbidden from making dramas? The man hasn't starred in a non-comedy film since 2001, so someone, somewhere has decided that they aren't for him. And it's too bad, because Vaughn used to play psychos and FBI agents, and he's still capable of looking devastated and broken, which he does frequently in The Dilemma, a drama film masquerading as a comedy. The film half-heartedly tries to live up to that lie throughout, but it's difficult in a movie that's entirely about betrayal and stress and addiction. The jokes, such as they are, seem to be there solely to buoy up the downer of a plot, which would have been much better served by a movie that wholeheartedly embraced the sadness. (Note to studios: When Kevin James is in your movie and he doesn't do a single pratfall, you've got a drama on your hands.)

Tags: review, The Dilemma, Vince Vaughn